1

Good graphs & charts using Excel

Module 1 Session 7

2

Learning Objectivesparticipants should be able to Understand the terminology

used to identify different parts of a chart

Recognise parallels between tables and charts Decide which type of graph

is appropriate for displaying the information effectively

Produce graphs from summaries & raw data Improve a chart

by judicious choice of type, arrangement and formatting

3

Why do we need graphs?

Charts are visual representation of the data and so are easier to digest

Charts give a concise way of conveying information

Are useful for highlighting key points , patterns and differences

4

Graph overviewPercentage

19

39

14

28

0

25

50

75

100

KESEN NANDA NIKO SABEY

percent

Plot area

Chart area

Gridlines

5

Graph overview

Percentage of farmers in each village

19

39

14

28

0

25

50

75

100

KESEN NANDA NIKO SABEY

percent

value axis

Legend

chart title

series

data labels

category axis

6

Overview - some Excel chart types

Excel has facilities to provide many types of graphs out of which the most common for categorical variables are:

Column charts

Bar charts

Pie charts

7

Choice in type of graphs

8

Where appropriate

Column charts and bar charts Useful for showing quantities in categories stacked column & bar charts can show relative

proportions in categories Pie charts

Useful for showing proportions of the whole Terminology

Excel Often called

Bar chart Horizontal bar chart

Column chart Bar chart

9

Using the Chart wizard Create data

possibly by typing have the column of categories on the left then the frequencies or proportions

Select the two columns Choose chart

from the menu or click on the Chart wizard icon and follow the instructions

* The chart wizard demonstration shows the process

10

Editing the Chart

Click in the chart to edit the corresponding element

Use good practice for charts to Select appropriate graph type Select suitable colours, fonts and style Change the scales for the axes Add titles and units Edit and position legend Change borders and fill effects

11

Practical 1

Activity 2 uses CAST For bar charts, stacked bar charts and pie charts

Activity 3 shows how to construct and edit a simple chart

Activity 4 shows how to display different types of data on the same chart

Note any interesting points and difficulties at the end of the practical for discussion later

12

Comparing pie charts and bar charts

Bar charts better to compare single categories

Pie charts good when multiple categories combined

13

Cumulative counts and percentages

Particularly useful for ordered variables

14

Pie charts

Multiple pie charts can be useful

but consider stacked bar charts as an alternative

15

Horizontal bar charts – when labels are long

16

Using Pivot tables & charts

Usually start with the raw data and need both a table and a graph

Use the pivot table facility , go to the raw data produce a frequency table using Pivot tables

See Activity 3 in the last session

Click on chart icon in the Pivot toolbar and follow instructions

17

Activity 5 uses the data on the fundamental principles

Activity 7 producing a chart from raw data

What positive points can you say about Excel’s graphics?

Did you have any problems? What negative points do you have?

18

Pie chart

What percentage of households ate meat one time or

less?

What other questions did

you give?

19

Summary Graphs & charts

give a visual presentation of your results A good graph

is simple , uncluttered and has all the essential information

Graphs can be produced using the chart wizard directly or through the pivot table facility

Select a chart which is suitable for the type of presentation one is dealing with.